Regulatory Bodies

Statutory Bodies

The Norwegian Media Authority (Medietilsynet) is an administrative body under the control of the Ministry of Culture. The Norwegian Media Authority is an independent source of information and advice in the field of media policies and regulations and it contributes to the enforcement of the government’s main goals in media politics.
It is responsible for upholding the Media Ownership Act, monitoring the media and processing applications for broadcasting licenses for local radio and televisions. This Authority is organized in different areas which are responsible for administration, licensing permits and supervising the compliance with the license terms regarding broadcasting, managing press subsidies and guaranteeing users’ safety in the use of digital media.
The Norwegian Media Authority was formed in 2005 after the merging of three formerly existing bodies: the National Board of Film Classification, the Media Ownership Authority and the Mass Media Authority.

Self-Regulatory Bodies

The Press Complaints Commission (Pressens Faglige Utvalg), also referred to as Press Council, was established by the Norwegian Press Association (NP) in 1936 mainly to handle questions related to press ethics. The members of the Commission are appointed by the board of NP. The Commission is a non-juridical and independent body which deals with complaints from members of the public about the editorial content of the all media (questions concerning press ethical matters). It hasn’t the power to impose sanctions to the media, but if the Commission concludes that the Code has been breached, it will uphold the complaint in a public ruling. The media is obliged to publish the critical ruling in full and with due prominence.

The Norwegian Press Association is also secretariat for the Commission for Freedom of Information  (Offentlighetsutvalget). Its objective is to work to guarantee and develop public access to information in Norway. The Commission provides advice and assistance to the press and the press agencies about practical interpretations of the Freedom of Information Act.